The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) honored the NFTA with the prestigious Gold Standard Award for safety in its rail system on Thursday, March 30. NFTA is one of only four transit agencies nationwide to receive this recognition this year.

The Gold Standard Award is the highest level of recognition TSA can give to a transit agency for achieving top scores during an annual review of 17 categories of security and emergency preparedness elements. The review evaluates several aspects of a transit agency’s operations, including its security plan, security training, drills and exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check procedures.

We are so proud to receive the TSA Gold Standard Award,” said NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel. “This serves as a testament towards our commitment to the safety of our riders and community. Everyone in the organization is dedicated to the highest standard of safety and security,” said NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel.

TSA has oversight of nearly 6,800 public transit agencies in the country. Every year, the TSA assesses several transit agencies nationwide for evaluation through its Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE) program. In addition to the NFTA, the other three agencies that earned honors were the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Sacramento Regional Transit District, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority.